Spain is one of the world’s most dynamic wine-producing countries, with a deep winemaking history and a strong sense of regional identity. This month, we explore the north with a crisp Txakoli from the Basque coast, a pure Garnacha, and a bold Merlot-Syrah blend from neighboring Navarra. The Basque Country has a long tradition of producing light, bracing whites to pair with seafood and pintxos along its Atlantic shores. Inland, Navarra’s varied terrain and growing conditions have made it a hub for both native varieties and international grapes, offering a modern counterpoint to its historic roots.
This is a bright and refreshing classic Txakoli wine from the Basque region. It has aromas of peaches, apples, and fresh grass with a delicate acidity. Made with Hondarrabi Zuri and a little Chardonnay, this wine is cheerful and slightly effervescent. Drink on its own on a hot day or pair with fish & chips.
The Producer: Mokoroa Winery
José Antonio Mokoroa and his family settled in the Zarautz region in 1992 and purchased an old farmhouse. In 2008, José opened his winery, focusing on high quality txakoli. Working with just six hectares, he carefully tends Hondarrabi Zuri and Chardonnay grapes, using minimal interventions in his winemaking to ensure that the characteristics of the grapes and the terroir come through in the final product.
The Region: Getariako Txakolina
Getariako Txakolina is a DO (Denominación de Origen) within the larger Basque Country. It is situated just 18 miles from the French border and is nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pyrenees mountains. This location results in a mild climate and high rainfall. Getariako Txakolina achieved DO status in 1990, part of a resurgence in local winemaking after a phylloxera outbreak. The area is planted almost exclusively with the Hondarrabi Zuri grape and produces crisp, high acid white wines.
The Grape: Hondarrabi Zuri
Indigenous to the Basque region of Spain, Hondarrabi Zuri is a white wine grape that produces light-bodied, high acid wines. It has been cultivated in the area for centuries and thrives in the cool coastal climate of Basque Country.
This vibrant red is made from 100% Garnacha, sourced from estate vines averaging 75 years old in Navarra’s Tierra Estella subzone. It was fermented with native yeasts in stainless steel and aged eight months in large neutral French oak vats to preserve the grape’s natural character. The result is a fresh, exuberant wine with bright red fruit, peppery spice, and lively acidity. It’s clean, balanced, and highly drinkable. Pair with eggplant parmesan.
The Producer: Saenz-Olazabal
Saenz-Olazabal is the second label of José Manuel Echeverría and María Saenz-Olazabal, the husband-and-wife team behind Bodegas Alzania. Both are trained oenologists who share a minimalist, sustainable approach in the vineyard and cellar. The Gardacho line is named after a mythical lizard-like creature from local folklore and reflects the couple’s focus on expressive, approachable wines. Their estate lies along the Camino de Santiago in western Navarra, where traditional viticulture and thoughtful winemaking come together in every bottle.
The Region: Navarra
Navarra is a wine region in northern Spain, situated between the Pyrenees Mountains and the Ebro River. It shares a border with Rioja and has long been influenced by both Atlantic and Mediterranean climates. The region is divided into five subzones, each with distinct terrain and growing conditions. Garnacha was once the dominant grape, especially for rosado, but today Navarra produces a wide range of styles from both native and international varieties.
This bold red blend from Navarra is composed of 60% Merlot, 30% Syrah, and 10% Garnacha, grown on a single estate vineyard that surrounds the winery itself. Aged 12 months in a mix of French and American oak barrels, the wine shows deep garnet color and expressive aromatics. Notes of ripe red fruit, warm spices, and a touch of balsamic evolve in the glass. The palate is velvety and elegant, with a long, enveloping finish that balances richness with freshness. Pair with stuffed peppers.
The Producer: Bodegas y Viñedos Alzania
Since 1999, José Manuel Echeverría has developed a reputation amongst his peers as one of the top winemakers in Spain. Today his bodega produces less than 5,000 cases per year of small lot, hand-crafted wines. José and his wife Maria Saenz-Olazabal grow and tend to approximately 18 hectares of vineyards, using all natural methods. José is a minimalist in the cellar as well; natural fermentations take place for all of his wines, carefully-thought-out oak treatments are used to complement the variety, and remarkably low amounts of sulfites are used during the process.
The Region: Navarra
The Camino de Santiago runs through Navarra and has shaped the region’s winemaking history for over a thousand years. Monasteries along the route cultivated vineyards to support pilgrims and preserve agricultural knowledge. During the Middle Ages, Navarra was part of an independent kingdom that connected the Iberian Peninsula with southern France. This position brought cultural and political influence, much of which is still reflected in the region’s architecture, food, and wine traditions.
